Wallaroos coach reacts to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s shock Test backflip

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp immediately let out a smile while being asked about Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s decision to come out of international retirement by playing for New Zealand at another Rugby World Cup – a decision Yapp described as “exciting for everyone.”

Woodman-Wickliffe spoke exclusively to HSBC SVNS Series commentator Rikki Swannell for RugbyPass about the game-changing update, with the two-time Olympic gold medallist revealing the news many fans had been calling for.

After helping New Zealand win Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024, Woodman-Wickliffe called time on one of the more distinguished and celebrated international rugby careers the sport has ever seen, which included sevens and 15s representative honours.

Woodman-Wickliffe’s time in the black jersey had come to an end – or so we thought.

Woodman-Wickliffe had a change of heart during the Blues’ run to championship glory in Super Rugby Aupiki, with the 33-year-old later named the Player of the Final against Matatu at Auckland’s Eden Park. That backflip was officially made public on Tuesday.

“Having seen her and obviously she’s been playing in the centres, it’s really exciting for the game. The World Cup is about getting the best players on that stage,” Yapp told reporters at Rugby Australia’s headquarters in Sydney.

“Having someone like Portia who’s done so much for the game, to have her at that World Cup is exciting for everyone.”

Woodman-Wickliffe will join a Black Ferns squad that will come up against Yapp’s Wallaroos in only a matter of weeks during World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series. Australia take on New Zealand in the first Laurie O’Reilly Cup Test at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on May 10.

Yapp unveiled a 40-player extended training squad on Tuesday, which is headlined by Australia Sevens stars Charlotte Caslick, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds. Maddison Levi was not named, with the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year still set for SVNS Series duty.

Levi will suit up for Australia at the upcoming SVNS Series World Championship at Los Angeles’s Dignity Health Sports Park on May 3-4. It’s possible Levi, and other sevens stars with the ambition of playing at the 15s World Cup, are added to a future Wallaroos squad.

“After a very competitive and successful Super Rugby Women’s competition we have selected a squad that can continue the momentum built off the WXV 2 win last year,” Yapp said in a statement.

“It’s an exciting year for women’s rugby and the preparation we have with seven Test matches over the next three months is going to be crucial ahead of the World Cup.

“The squad is a mix of youth and experience with some new and returning players earning their opportunities.

“We are looking forward to seeing these players connect and grow throughout the upcoming camps and Pacific Four Series.”